After an unfavorable ruling in Federal District Court, the NJ Treasury has announced changes to its list of persons and entities banned from public contracts because of ties to Russia or Belarus. N.J.S.A. 52:32-60.1 requires the NJ Department of the Treasury (Treasury) to establish a list of persons and entities engaging in prohibited activities in Russia or Belarus. The law prohibits the State and local contracting units from (1) entering into or renewing contracts; (2) approving or renewing Public Works Contractor Registrations; (3) approving economic development subsidies; (4) providing tax clearance certificates; and (5) certifying urban renewal entities for the purposes of the “Long Term Tax Exemption Law” with a person or entity identified on the list.
Treasury had suspended the enforcement of the law after a challenge brought in federal District Court. In light of the District Court’s decision, Treasury has decided, rather than adopt its own separate list, to adopt the federal government’s list of Specifically Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons.
You should review the Treasury’s notice with your procurement officer and municipal attorney for additional information.
Contact: Frank Marshall, Esq., Associate General Counsel, fmarshall@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x137.